Display rack



Aug. 18, 1936. N. J. men 2,051,093

DISPLAY RACK Filed March 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 I .35 INVENTOR,

Na/flza/n Joseph Laiglv,

N. J. LEIGH DISPLAY RACK Aug. 18, 1936.

Filed March 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR; Natlawfisqpiz Leh,

Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNE E 11!; g g" DISPLAY RACK Nathan Joseph Leigh,

signer to Einson-Freeman 00.,

Great Neck, N. Y., as-

Inc., Long 12 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to display racks.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a supporting devicefor a plurality of packages that are offered for sale in a store. Theinvention is primarily applicable to a device of the character which mayconveniently stand on a counter, displaying and offering for sale suchpackaged goods as razor blades, toothbrushes, and the like; but manyphases of the invention are not restricted to any particular type orsize of package 'nor to any particular size of rack.

Briefly, the invention provides a main display panel, upon whichsuitable advertising indicia may be depicted; a rear prop or support forthe panel; and means for accommodating and supporting a series ofpackages or commodities in projecting relation to one or both lateraledges of the display panel.

One of the features of the invention lies in providing a series ofopenings in the panel adjacent to at least one lateral edge, and in theemploymentof means for supporting a series of packages behind this edgeso that the inner portions of the packages are exposed through theopenings, respectively, while the outer portions of the packages projectlaterally in side-by-si-de relation.

The present invention is admirably adaptable to the relativelyinexpensive knockdown type of display device which is composed solely ofcardboard or its equivalents. In one embodiment of the invention, theentire structure may be composed of a single blank of cardboard, and thestructure is of a kind which permits the cardboard to be printed orlithographed on only one surface. is improved and rendered moreadvantageous by the supplemental use of an additional flat element orelements of cardboard serving as backgrounds for the packages orcommodities.

A display rack of the present improved type is characterized by theassociation with a display panel of a tubular chamber behind one edge ofthe panel, the chamber having spaced walls which are substantiallyperpendicular to the dis-- play panel and which are provided withapertures which receive and support the packages, respectively, whichare offered for sale. In accordance with the invention, the apertures inthe outer wall are relatively large and are adapted snugly toaccommodate therethrough the packages in question; while the aperturesin the inner wall are relatively small and serve as abutment supportsfor only the inner portions of the packages.

In a modified embodiment, the devicethe display panel. Preferably, achamber. of this.

character is provided at each lateral edge .oi the display panel.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, 'in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein 1 Figure 1 is a frontelevational view, with. portions broken away, of 'a display rack ofthelpresent improved character;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the rack with one packageillustratively shown in position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33 of Figure 1; l

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a portion of the devicein knocked-down condition; I

Figure 5 is a plan view of the integral blank of cardboard which entersinto the construction of the device of Figures 1-3; I

Figure 6 is a plan view of the two supplemental. blanksof cardboardwhich are used in the device of Figures 1-3; I

Figure 7 is a perspective View of a slightly modified construction; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, rear, perspective view of the device ofFigure 7, showing one of the structural details.

In Figure 5, I. have illustrated the blank of cardboard which enters'into the construction of the device of Figures 1-4. The particularembodiment chosen for illustration provides, on the blank, 2. bodysection l8 which is substantially rectangular, being bounded by the endedges H and I2 and by the lateral score lines l3. To the right of thebody section It], as viewed in Figure 5, a marginal section is dividedby score lines I4, l5, and l 6 into substantially rectangular areas I1,I8, l9, and 20. This marginal section is rear wardly doubled back, asindicated most clearly in Figure 3, so that the areas ll, l8, and I9define the side and rear walls of a chamber of substantially rectangularcross-section, this chamber being arranged immediately behind theright-hand edge of the panel ID. The area '20 is-folded into parallelsuperposition with respect to the panel I!) and is adhesively secured tothe rear of the panel l0, thus retaining .the tubular chamber inposition. This chamber is nevertheless collapsible into thesubstantially flattenedrelationship shown in Figure 4, and it is thisflattened relationship which exists when the device is stacked withothers, shipped, or ultimately knocked down.

It will be observed that the areas I! and I9 define the outer and innerside walls of the tubular chamber, respectively, while the area l8defines the rear wall. The side walls 11 and. I9 may be said toconstitute two spaced walls which are substantially perpendicular to theplane of the panel II].

In accordance with my invention, the outer side wall H is provided witha series of relatively large apertures 2|, and the inner side wall I9 isprovided with a corresponding series of smaller apertures 22.Furthermore, the lateral edge portion of the panel I0 is provided withopenings 23 which register with the apertures 2|. In the illustratedembodiment the cut-away portions 23 are'substantially triangular.

To the left of the panel H), as viewed in Figure 5, I prefer to providea second marginal section which is similarly constructed, being dividedby score lines 24, 25, and 26 into substantially rectangular areas 21,28, 29, and 30. This marginal section is also rearwardly doubled back todefine a second tubular chamber of substantially rectangularcross-section, as shown most clearly in vided with an extension 3|bounded by the score.

line or hinge line 32, the extension 3| serving as a collapsible propfor the entire device, as shown most clearly in Figure 3. It is alsodesirable to provide the cut 33 so that a hinged brace 34 may cooperatewith the prop 3| when the device is set up. The prop 3i and the hingedbrace 34 are,

per se, known in the art and form no part of the present invention,except in so far as they are formed as integral portions of a singleblank, the

only required pasting operations being the two which secure the areas 20and 30 to the rear of the panel ID, as shown in Figure 3.

The outer side wall of the left-hand tubular chamber is, like the other,provided with relatively large apertures 35; the inner sidewall 29 isprovided with a corresponding series of smaller apertures 36; and theleft-hand edge portion of the panel I0 is provided with openings orcutouts 31 which register with the apertures 35.

Before describing how the display rack is adapted to support packages orthe like,'it is necessary to point out that, in the preferredconstruction, separate and supplemental cardboard blanks 38 and 39 areinserted into the two tubu- 2 I; while the blank 39 has similarprojecting portions 4| which project laterally out of the other chamberthrough the apertures 35.

When the device is set up it assumes the position shown most clearly inFigure 2. .In this figure, and also in Figure 1, I have illustrativelyshown a package 42 of substantially rectangular configuration, indisplay position. The package is inserted into the tubular chamberbehind the right-hand edge of the panel Ill by passing it through one ofthe apertures 21. This disposes the package within the tubular chamberin a substantially cross-wise relation. The inner end portion of thepackage passes into the corresponding smaller aperture 22, this aperturethus serving as an abutment support. Preferably, each aperture 2| is sopositioned with respect to the corresponding aperture 22 that thepackage will assume the oblique disposition shown in Figures l and 2.

It will be understood that the apertures 2i and 22 are made of apredetermined size to accommodate a predetermined package, and theuniquely advantageous character of the present construction lies in thefact that the package is firmly and securely held in position. Not onlyis the package snugly held between the panel H1, at the front, and therear wall I8, at the back, but it has in addition four points of supportwhich are illustratively shown in Figure 1 at the points 43, 44, 45, and46. The points of support 43 and 44 are afforded by the upper and loweredges of one of the apertures 2 I, and the points of support 45 and 46are afforded by the upper and lower edges of the corresponding aperture22.

It is also to be observed that each projecting portion 40 of thesupplemental background element 38 is given a predeterminedconfiguration so thatit will substantially underlie the laterallyprojecting portion of the package 42. Not only does the element 38produce a snugger fit of the package within the present device, but itserves also as an attractive background for vacant spaces, 1. e., forthose spaces from which packages 42 have been removed as they are sold.It is usually preferable to print or lithograph the exposed surfacesbfthe projecting background portions 40, either with advertising indicia,or with a simulation of the front face of a package 42.

The function of the openings 23 in the front panel are to expose to viewat least a part of the front face of the package portion which isdisposed within the chamber. Depending upon the type of package which isdisplayed, the openings 23 will assume either a triangularconfiguration, as shown, or some other suitable shape.

In essence, the invention may be said to consist of a'front'panel, inassociation with a tubular chamber behind one edge, the side walls ofthe chamber having apertures adapted to support a package in the mannerhereinbefore described. In practice, however, it is preferable toprovide not only one tubular chamber, but two, as shown in the drawings;and it is also preferable to provide for the support and display of morethan one package in each tubular chamber. Thus, in the device of Figures1 and 2, means are provided for accommodating and displaying a total often packages, five in each chamber.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have illustrated a slightly modified constructionin which means .are provided for accommodating and supporting a total ofonly six packages or the like, three in each tubular chamber. In thisembodiment, an integral cardboard blank is shaped to define a frontpanel 41 and two tubular chambers behind the lateral edges of the panel.The chambers are identical, and reference will, therefore, be had'toonly the one at the right of Figure '7. The outer side wall 48 isprovided with relatively large apertures 49, and the inner side wall 50is provided with relatively small apertures 5|. The edge portion ofacetone the panel 41 is provided; withopenings 52 which register withthe apertures 49'. In this case, the openings52 are trapezoidal inshape, and they are somewhat narrower than the apertures 69, therebyleaving slight overhanging portions 53 which assist in holding thepackages in position.

Also, in Figures 7 and 8, the supplemental bacl-:-- ground elements areomitted; and the rear prop- 54 is a separate element adhesively securedby the portion 55 to the back of the display panel 41.

One of the advantageous features of' the embodiment of Figures '7 and 8lies in the provision of a closure flap 56 at the top of each tubularchamber. This flap is hinged, as at 51, to therear wall 58 of thechamber, and has an extension 59 which may be tucked into the top of thechamber when the closure fiap 58 is moved from the open position at theleft of Figure 8 to the closed position shown at the right of thisfigure. This closure flap S enhances the overall appearance of thedevice and serves the important additional function of rigidifying thechamber. Obviously, the flap 55 must be opened up before the device iscollapsed into flattened relation for purposes of shipment or stacking.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the entire present structure,contributing toward its efficient and highly practical nature, lies inthe fact that it is composed essentially of a single integral blank ofcardboard, and that printing or lithographing need take place withrespect to only one surface of the blank. Because of the desirability ofprinting on only one surface, the use of the supplemental elements 38and 39 in the preferred embodiment is advantageous, because in theembodiment of Figures '7 and 8 the withdrawal of a. package leaves anempty space which is not as attractive as it might be.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, What Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a displayrack of the character described, an integral cardboard blank having abody section defining a. display panel, and a marginal sectionrearwardly doubled back to define the rear and side walls of a tubularchamber of substantially rectangular cross-section disposed behind oneedge of said panel, a portion of said marginal section being adhesivelysecured. to the back of said panel, another portion being shaped todefine a rear prop for the panel, and the side walls of said chamberhaving apertures adapted to receive and support a package extendingcrosswise through said chamber.

2. In a display rack of the character described, an integral cardboardblank having a body section defining a display panel, and a marginalsection rearwardly doubled back to define the rear and side walls of atubular chamber of substantially rectangular cross-section disposedbehind one edge of said panel, the side walls of said chamber havingapertures adapted to receive and support a package extending crosswisethrough said chamber, the aperture in the outer wall being relativelylarge to permit insertion and removal of the package through it, theaperture in the inner wall being'relatively small to accommodate andactas an abutment support for only the inner end portion of the package.

3. In a display rack of the character described, an integral cardboardblank having a body section defining a' display panel, and a marginalsection rearwardly doubled back to define the rear and side walls ofatubular'chamber of substantially rectangular cross-section disposedbe-- hind one edge of said panel, the side walls of said chamberhavinga-pertures adapted to receive and support a package extendingcrosswise through said chamben'and the display panel having anedgeportion cut away to exposeat least part ofment disposed Within saidchamber and provided with a portion projecting laterally out of saidchamber through the aperture in the outer wall.

5. A'display rack comprising a display panel, and a tubularchamberbehind one edge of the panel, said chamber having twb spacedwalls substantially perpendicular tothepanel, the outer; wall beingintegral and flush with the edge of the panel and having an apertureadapted to snugly accommodate the midportion of a rectangular packagethereimthe inner wall having a smaller aperture adapted to receive andafford support for the inner corner of the package, whereby the free endportion of the package projects laterally from said panel.

6. A display rack comprising a display panel, and a tubular chamberbehind one edge of the panel, said chamber having two spaced wallssubstantially perpendicular to the panel, the outer wall having anaperture adapted to snugly accommodate the midportion of a packagetherein, the inner wall having a smaller aperture adapted to receive andafford support for the inner end portion of the package, and the displaypanel having an edge portion cut away to expose at least part of thefront face of the package portion within said chamber.

7. A display rack comprising a display panel, and a tubular chamberbehind one edge of the panel, said chamber having two spaced wallssubstantially perpendicular to the panel, the outer wall having anaperture adapted to snugly accommodate the midportion of a packagetherein, the inner Wall having a. smaller aperture adapted to receiveand afford support for the inner end portion of the package, whereby thefree end portion of the package projects laterally from said panel, anda background element disposed within said chamber and provided with aportion projecting laterally out of said chamber to underlie saidprojecting package portion.

8. A cardboard display rack comprising a display panel, and a tubularcardboard chamber behind one edge of the panel, said chamber having twospaced walls substantially perpendicular to the panel, the outer wallbeing integral and flush with the edge of the panel and having a seriesof apertures adapted snugly to accommodate rectangular packagestherethrough, the inner wall having a corresponding series of smallerapertures. adapted to receive and afford support for only the innercorners of said packages, respectively, whereby the free end portions'ofthe packages project laterally, in side-by-side relation, from saidpanel. V r v9. A cardboard display rack comprising a display panel, andatubular cardboard chamber behind one edge of the panel, said chamberhaving two spaced walls substantially perpendicular jto the panel, theouter wallhaving a series of apertures adapted snugly toaccommodatepackages therethrough, the inner wall having a correspondingseries of smaller apertures adapted to receive and afiord support forthe inner end portions of said packages, respectively, whereby the freeend portions of'the packages project later: ally, in side-by-siderelation, from said panel, and a cardboard background element disposedwithin said chamber and provided with portions projecting laterally outof said chamber to underlie said projecting package portions,respectively.

10. A display rack comprising a display panel,

and a tubular chamber behind one edge of the panel,-said chamber havingtwo spaced Walls substantially perpendicular to the panel, the outer.

; a background element disposed within saidchamher and provided with aportion projecting laterally out of said chamber to underlie saidprojecting package portion.

. 11'. A cardboard display rack comprising a display panel, and atubular cardboard chamber behind one edge of the panel, said chamberhaving two spaced walls substantially perpendicular to the panel,the'outer wall having a series of 'apertures adapted snugly toaccommodate packages therethrough, the inner wall having a correspondingseries of smaller apertures adapted to receive. and afford support forthe inner end portions of said packages, respectively, whereby the freeend portions of the packages project laterally, in sideby-side relation,from said panel, the display panel having a series of openings inregistry with the apertures of the outer wall so as to expose at leastpart of the front face of each package within said chamber.

12. A cardboard display rack comprising a dis-. play panel, and atubular cardboard chamber behind one edge of the panel, said chamberhaving two spaced, walls substantially perpendicular to the panel, theouter wall having a series of apertures adapted snugly to accommodatepackages therethrough, the inner wall having a corresponding series ofsmaller apertures adapted to receive and afford support for the innerend portions of said packages, respectively, whereby the free endportions of the packages project laterally, in sideby-side relation,from said panel, the display panel having a series of openings inregistry with the apertures of the outer wall so as to expose at leastpart of the front face of each package within said chamber, and acardboard background element disposed within said chamber and providedwith portions projecting laterally out of said chamber to underlie saidprojecting package portions, respectively.

NATHAN JOSEPH LEIGH.

